Editorials this Week

JPNN/New Delhi / Mar 28, 2015/Capping their bitter campaign against Arvind Kejriwal, dissident AAP founding members Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav were today removed from its National Executive for anti-party activities, a decision slammed as "murder of democracy" by them.Amid chaos and high drama, a resolution to remove the two dissident leaders
along with their supporters Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha from the powerful panel was passed at the National Council with 247 members supporting it. 10 members opposed it while 54 others did not take part in the voting, AAP National Secretary Pankaj Gupta said.In a related development, AAP's internal Lokpal Ramdas was also asked not to attend the meet to "avoid confrontation", which was criticised by the rebel leaders.Party Chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after making an emotional speech, left the meeting before the resolution was introduced by his loyalist Manish Sisodia. In Kejriwal's absence, the meeting was chaired by Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai.After the meeting, Yadav and Bhushan accused Kejriwal of using unfair means including bringing goons at the meeting who allegedly beat up a number of National Council members opposed to the resolution."It was a murder of democracy. Everything played out in accordence with a predetermined script and the resolution was moved and passed within minutes completely disregarding laid down procedures. It was a total farce," said an agitated Yadav.Bhushan alleged Kejriwal came fully prepared to "kick us out" from the party and that a number of NC members, who supported him, and Yadav were injured."Whatever Kejriwal was heard saying in a sting yesterday was played out in the entirety in today's meeting. There was no distinction between members and others. There was no discussion, no secret vote, no showing of votes in the meeting," the eminent lawyer said.Kejriwal loyalist Ashutosh accused Yadav of "spreading lies" that NC members were beaten up in meeting."YY is spreading lies that NC members were beaten up in meeting. There was no scuffle or manhandling. It's a cooked up story to gain sympathy," he tweeted.In another tweet, he said "Only a dozen members opposed proposal to expel them from NE (National Executive) and a few walked out of YY and PB. Overwhelming support to expel them from NE."Bhushan also took strong exception to the party leadership's decision to not allow internal Lokpal Ramdas to attend the meeting."The Lokpal was not allowed inside. It was totally pre-planned. What they did today crossed all limits. It shows the mentality of Arvind and his coterie," Bhushan said.Hours before the meeting, Yadav made public a letter, written by Ramdas to the party leadership, in which the former Navy Chief expressed surprise over the party asking him not to attend the meet to "avoid confrontation".In the letter, Ramdas cited the SMS he received from AAP General Secretary Pankaj Gupta, in which several reasons were stated by the party for its decision to ask him to skip the meeting.Ahead of the meeting, Yadav sat on a dharna outside the venue for around 20 minutes alleging that some National Council members opposed to Kejriwal camp were not being allowed inside the meeting.A large number of AAP volunteers from both camps descended at the venue of the meeting at Calista resort in Kapahsera border and engaged in sloganeering against each other.A section of the volunteers supporting Kejriwal celebrated ouster of Bhushan and Yadav after the decision was made public.Police had to throw an escort ring around Bhushan and Yadav as the slogan shouting supporters of Kejriwal was approaching towards them after they came out of the meeting.Heavy contingents of police and RAF have been deployed in the vicinity of the resort, where NC members were allowed inside after registering at a counter.Members who failed to show identification, mobile number, and SMS invite were denied entry.Agency

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President Pranab Mukherjee confers the Padma Vibhushan to Amitabh Bachchan, left, during a civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on 8-4-15. - AP Photo/ Manish Swarup

US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama fold their hands in Namaste gesture before their departure from Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi on 27-1-15. - PTI Photo/ Manvender Vashist

British Prime Minister David Cameron with US actress Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on the doorstep of Cameron's official residence at 10 Downing Street following their meeting in central London on June 11-6 - 2014:-AP/PTI

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To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.George MacDonald

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JPNN|Srinagar| Aug 13, 2015| In Jammu and Kashmir, at least 10 persons are reported to have been injured in a mysterious grenade explosion outside a mosque in Tranz village in Shopian district Thursday.

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JPNN| Jammu| Aug 13 | Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire for the fifth day Thursday increasing the arch of firing and shelling along LoC by targeting scores of Indian posts and civilian areas in three districts of Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch, drawing retaliation from the Army.

Live Healthy!

The controversy around Nestle's Maggi noodles has caused panic throughout the nation and it doesn't look like it will die down any time soon.

After the initial test results by Uttar Pradesh Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed harmful levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead in Maggi, various states across India and even Bangladesh conducted tests on Maggi to find out whether the food product is safe or not.

The controversy around Maggi has led to tests being conducted across the country.

The entire controversy began when the UP FDA last month asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles "which were manufactured in February 2014" after it found high levels of added MSG, a taste enhancer, in the noodles and lead beyond permissible limits.